Barbados marked a significant milestone in its tourism industry as the Ambassador Cruise Line’s Renaissance cruise ship made its inaugural visit to Bridgetown Port on Monday morning. The vessel, carrying 938 passengers, was warmly welcomed by local officials and tourism representatives. Cheryl Carter, Chief Operations Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), emphasized the strategic importance of Barbados as a home porting destination during a plaque exchange ceremony aboard the ship. Carter highlighted Barbados’ geographic advantage as the eastern gateway to the southern Caribbean, offering cruise lines operational efficiency and a compelling value proposition for North American and European markets. Captain Yan Jouffroy expressed gratitude for the warm reception and expressed confidence that both crew and guests would enjoy their time on the island. The Renaissance, with a capacity of approximately 1,100 passengers, is set to embark 441 travelers before heading to its next destination, Curaçao.